Ohio State: Urban Meyer recommends Braxton Miller for Heisman race

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) dives in for a touchdown as Michigan defensive back Blake Countess (18) tries to stop him during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)

Urban Meyer shied away from talking about postseason topics on Monday.
He didn’t shy away from the topic of postseason awards.
When asked during his weekly news conference at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center how difficult it will be to not jump into the fray and defend his team amid national scuttle on whether his 12-0 Buckeyes should get a shot in the BCS national title game, Meyer balked.
“I’ll have a comment on Sunday,” Meyer said.
The Buckeyes face 11-1 Michigan State on Saturday in the league’s championship game.
“We play a game (Saturday),” Meyer said. “And for someone to ask about something after this game, I mean, that’s cheating my football team, and there will be no conversation about what happens after this game until after the game.”
A topic Meyer did broach was the Heisman Trophy race — and he feels he has a candidate few if anyone are talking about.
Quarterback Braxton Miller.
“I know he missed some games. Seems like six years ago that he hurt his knee,” Meyer said. “But I think he’s Heisman worthy.”
Miller enters the game on Saturday having thrown for 1,759 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also has run for 891 yards (with a 7.8-yard average)
All despite missing nearly three full games — Weeks 2, 3 and 4 against San Diego State, Cal and Florida A&M — with a knee injury.
“I can’t compare him to the other guys because his stats probably aren’t as good,” Meyer said. “I haven’t even looked at that. But I think I’ve been around a Heisman Trophy quarterback, and certainly Braxton is in that conversation.”Hall, coaches reprimanded
The Big Ten on Monday issued a public reprimand to OSU lineman Marcus Hall and the Buckeyes’ coaching staff for their parts in an on-field melee during Ohio State’s 42-41 win over Michigan on Saturday.
However, neither Hall nor Dontre Wilson — each of whom who were ejected from the game — were suspended for the Big Ten championship game on Saturday.
Hall was found in violation of the league’s sportsmanship policy. He made an obscene gesture to the crowd with both hands as he exited the playing field.
The conference also issued a reprimand of the coaching staff “for failing in its duty to effectively manage the process of escorting an ejected student-athlete from the playing field to the locker room.”
The conference reviewed video of the incident, a news release stated, and concluded that officials managed the situation properly and ejected the correct players.
“The Big Ten Conference considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment,” the release said.Awarding
Eight OSU players were named first team All-Big Ten on Monday in voting by head coaches and 36 members of the media.
Two Buckeyes — quarterback Miller and running back Carlos Hyde — were major award winners. Miller was named the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year, while Hyde was named the Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the year.
Miller is the Big Ten leader in passer efficiency with a 164.3 rating and leads the Big Ten with 295.0 yards of total offense per game in conference play.
Hyde has run for 1,290 yards despite missing the first three games of the season while being suspended. He has rushed for 100 yards in each of the last seven games, including two 200-yard performances.
Six other Buckeyes earned first-team all-Big Ten honors from the media including Corey Linsley, Jack Mewhort, Andrew Norwell, Bradley Roby, Ryan Shazier and Noah Spence.
Michael Bennett was second-team defense, while Philly Brown was second-team offense.
Earning honorable mention all-conference honors were C.J. Barnett, Drew Basil, Joey Bosa, Doran Grant, Marcus Hall, Jeff Heuerman, Cameron Johnston and Devin Smith.
Kenny Guiton was named Ohio State’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree.

About the Author

John grew up on a dairy farm in southern Ashtabula County, and is a graduate of Grand Valley High School and Ohio State University. Reach the author at jkampf@morningjournal.com
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